Double hinged fastener



Aug. 31, 1965 s. AUSNIT DOUBLE HINGED FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 7, 1962 INVENTOR. 6725M 4&(9/V/7 Aug. 31, 1965 s. AUSNlT DOUBLEHINGED FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 7, 1962 R O T N E V m 67675 AUVV/T BY M W h ATrogNEYs United States Patent 3,203,662 DUUBLEI-IINGED FASTENER Steven Ausnit, 124 E. 61st St., New York, N.Y. FiledSept. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 222,016 3 Claims. ((Ii. 24-201) The presentinvention relates to improvements in a flexible closure assembly andparticularly to improved flexible fastener strips having coactingreleasable pressure interlocking elements on their confronting surfaces,and also relates to an improved slider for separating the strips.

The invention contemplates providing a pair of plastic flexible closurestrips each having a marginal portion with releasable pressureinterlocking elements such as an arrow shaped rib element on one of themarginal portions and a coactingly shaped groove element on the other ofthe marginal portions. Web portions are attached to the marginalportions for attaching to the downwardly ex tending walls of a pouch orbag. A feature of the invention is the hinged connection between themarginal portions and the web portions on each of the strips whichpermit the web portions to bend outwardly relative to the marginalportions, such as occurs with the loading of a bag to' which the stripsare attached, without apply ing bending forces to tend to separate thestrips and maintaining the interlocking elements in their optimumposition for resisting separation. Each of the web portions is attachedto its marginal portion by a laterally extending integral hinge portion.

The invention also provides a slider for separating opposed fastenerstrips with releasable pressure interlocking elements thereon includinga rib element and a groove element with the opening end of the sliderhaving a separating finger with a concave surface for slidinglyreceiving the rib element and withdrawing it from the groove element.The separating finger is rigidly and economically formed to havesurfaces extending in the direction of movement of the slider and isformed from material of the back and one of the sides of the slider.

An object of the invention is to provide improved flexible fastenerstrips having feature which promote improved resistance to separation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved slider forseparating fastener strips wherein the slider has features for improvedseparation and/or joining flexible closure strips, and wherein theslider is simply and economically made.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved opening andclosing slider for flexible closure strips wherein the slider can beformed or bent from a single piece of metal, and has improved featuresof strength.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved closurestrip structure with the strips providing a secure reopenable interlockfor the top of a pouch or bag and wherein the strips will remaininterlocked against forces caused by a loaded bag to which the stripsare attached.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent withthe teaching of the principles of the present invention in connectionwith the disclosure of the preferred embodiments thereof in thespecification, claims and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with portions broken away illustrating apouch and fastener strips embodying principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, with a section takenvertically through the closure strips, of a slider mounted on the stripsfor joining or separating the strips;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substan- "ice tially alongline III-III at the closing end of the slider of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lineIVIV at the opening end of the slider of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of a form of closure strips;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective View of a slider embodying the principles ofthe present invention and constructed to be used with the closure stripsof FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the slider;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along lineVIIIVIII of FIGURE 7 and including closure strips to illustrate theaction of the slider at the opening end for separating the strips; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of another form of slider for use withthe strips of FIGURE 5.

As shown on the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates a pouch 10 formed withside walls and a flexible closure at the top for opening and reclosingthe pouch 10. The closure includes first and second closure strips 11and 12 each having marginal portions 13 and 14. Below the marginalportions are web portions 15 and 16 for attachment of the strips to theupper edges of the pouch 10.

The marginal portions 13 and 14 include releasable pressure interlockingelements in the form of an arrow shaped bead or rib 19, FIGURES 1through 4, and a complementary shaped recess or groove 20.

Below the marginal portions for attachment to the pouch are web portions15 and 16. The web portions are attached to the marginal portions bylaterally extending hinge portions 17 and 18 respectively. The hingeportions are integral with both the marginal portions and web portions,and permit relatively easy bending or flexing of the web portions andbag side walls. This flexing or bending occurs particularlywhen the bagis loaded and the walls are pressed outwardly by the contents of the bagIt). Whereas this frequently has heretofore created a force on thestrips which tends to separate the closure strips, in the presentarrangement the strips will maintain a position wherein they have thegreatest resistance to separation. If the web portions are pulled inopposite horizontal directions, for example, the line of action will bethrough the longitudinal centerline CL of the interlocking elements andthey will not twist or tilt, but will remain in the position shown. Aseither of the web portions 15 or 16 is drawn outwardly, the hingeportions 17 and 18 vw'll freely flex and the pull on the interlockingrib and groove elements 19 and 20 will be through their centerline.Accordingly, the hinge portions 17 and 18 are attached laterallyopposite the longitudinal centerline CL of the marginal portions whichis the center of the interlocking elements, FIGURE 3. The hinge portionsare sufficiently thin to flex as the web portions flex outwardly and areshown with the same thickness as the web for convenience ofillustration. Since the material of the bag 10 may be only a fewthousandths of an inch, for clarity the drawings must show the elementsthicker than the actual structure. They are preferably as thin as theweb portions or thinner to insure flexing and to insure a hinge actionand to prevent applying a bending force to the marginal portions.

The web portions 15 and 16 extend downwardly from the hinge portions 17and 18 in downwardly extending first portions 15:: and 16a respectively.The web portions then turn toward each other below the marginal portionsin laterally inwardly extending second web portions 15b and 16b. Thesecond web portions then turn downwardly in downwardly extending thirdweb portions and 16c which are attached to the top edges of the bag 10.This brings the web portions 15b and 16b towards each other with theirinner surfaces following the outer surface of the marginal portion 14-providing a compact unit not susceptible to being opened accidentally.

The closure strips are of a suitable flexible plastic material, andsuitable materials include the thermoplastic and thermosetting organicsynthetic resins, and the strips are commonly transparent or translucentcolorless plastic. Of particular importance for this use are the vinyltype resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylchloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymers, and similar vinyl resins, andpolyethylene. Rubber, either natural or synthetic, is not a preferredmaterial since, in the case of rubber, it is more difficult to controlthe degree of rigidity for interlocking engagement between the strips.However, by proper compounding and vulcanizing the rubber, the degree ofrigidity can be controlled to make rubber acceptable for purposes of theinstant invention.

FIGURES 2 through 4 illustrate a slider 21 which straddles the top edgeof the closure strips and is movable either in an opening or closingdirection to separate or join the closure strips 11 and 12.

The slider 21 is formed of a suitable material such as metal and isformed integrally of one piece with a back portion 22. Turned downwardlyand integral with the back portion are side portions 23 and 24, and theside portions are tapered toward each other toward a closing end C ofthe slider so that the inner planar surfaces thereof press the stripstogether when the slider i moved in a closing direction.

The lower edges 23a and 24a of the sides are turned inwardly to extendbeneath the shoulders formed by the inwardly extending portions 15b and16b of the web portions of the strips, and this retains the slider inplace on the strips.

For separating the strips 11 and 12 when the slider 21 is moved in aopening direction, a separating finger 25 projects downwardly at theopening end of the slider between the sides 23 and 24. The fingeruniquely has surfaces extending in a longitudinal direction with respectto the direction of slider movement, and has a jog or a bend 26 with alaterally facing concave surface that slidingly receives the arrowshaped bead 19 of the strip 11. This concave surface 26a in effect pullsthe rib fastener element 19 from the groove fastener element 20, whenthe slider is used in a opening direction. The shaped jog 26 projectsinto the groove 20 and has a separation effect, camming the upper andlower portions of the groove apart as illustrated in FIGURE 4 to aid inthe separation, and the outer surface 2612 projects into the groove.

The finger 25 i uniquely formed from the material of the slider beingcut from the back 22 and the side 23 and bent downwardly. Thus, one sideof the back 22, and the side 23 will be shorter than the other side ofthe back, and the other side 24. The finger extending with planarsurfaces in a longitudinal direction provides good strength in thesliding directions, and is conveniently made without requiring theprovision of additional material, and is integral with the material ofthe slider.

The slider is also conveniently shaped to conform to the cross-sectionalprofile of the strips, and the back, sides, and inwardly turned loweredges of the sides, along with the jog 26 formed in the finger 25, allcoact to maintain the slider in its proper position on the strips 11 and12 and aid in facilitating easy movement of the slider and preventbinding on the strips.

FIGURE illustrates another form of closure strips 36 and 31. The stripshave marginal portions 32 and 33 respectively having releasableinterlocking elements 34 and 35, with the element 34 presenting an arrowshaped rib, and the element 35 presenting a cooperatively shaped groove.

Projecting laterally from each side of the marginal portions 32 and 33are flanges 38 and 39. Extending downwardly are web portions 36 and 37for attaching the strips to a bag or pouch.

FIGURES 6 through 8 illustrate a slider 44 for the strips 3%) and 31 ofFIGURE 5.

The slider 40 is formed of one piece of material such as metal, and hasa closing end C and an opening end 0. The slider has a back portion 41with integral downwardly extending bent shaped sides 4'7 and 48 whichare bent to provide channels 42 and 43. The sides are additionallyturned inwardly and downwardly to provide lower portions 44 and 45 whichaid in closing the strips, and which also aid in retaining the slider onthe strips.

The slider in effect provides a T-shaped slot extending therethrough forreceiving the T-shaped strips 30 and 31.

The sides 47 and 48 are shaped so that the channels 42 and 43 turndownwardly at the opening end 0 of the slider so as to apply a bendingforce to the strips to bendingly pry them apart and aid in separation ofthe strips, FIGURE 8.

The back portion 41 and the sides 47 and d8 taper together toward theclosing end C of the slider 40 for closing the strips and forcingtogether the interlock elements 34 and 35 when the slider is moved meclosing direction. The sides are bent inwardly and downwardly at 44 and45 and these'bo-ttom portions also taper together toward the closing endto aid in joining the strips. The lower portions 44 and 45 of the sidesalso hold the slider on the strips engaging beneath the lateral flanges38 and 3?.

At the center of the opening end of the slider 40, the back 41 is bentdownwardly to form a V-shaped separator 46 which aids in bending thestrips Stl and 31 laterally outwardly, as shown in FIGURE 8, and aids inseparating the strips.

Centrally located at the opening end and extending downwardly is aseparating finger 49. The finger is formed from being cut from one sideof the back 41 and is integral with the material of the slider and bentdownwardly therefrom, so that the side of the back 41 and the side 48are shorter than the other side of the back and the side 47. Thispermits the finger to be formed integral with the material of theslider, and the finger presents longitudinally extending surfaces beingstrong in the longitudinal sliding direction of the slider.

The finger is shaped with a concave surface 50 which faces the arrowshaped interlocking rib portion 34. The back side of the concave portion5% projects into the groove interlocking element 35, tending to separateit, and the front concave side functions to pull the rib interlockingelement 34 out of the groove element 35.

FIGURE 9 illustrates another form of slider 51, having a back portion 52with integral downwardly bent side portions 53 and 54. The side portionsare shaped so as to form channels 55 and 56 on each side with the sliderpresenting a T-shaped slot for sliding on the strips 3t) and 31.

The slider 51 of FIGURE 9 is a simplified form of the slider of FIGURE6, with the back portion 52 being flat.

A finger 57 is cut from one side of the back portion and from the side,and is turned downwardly intermediate the sides 53 and 54 and bent toform a jog presenting a concave surface 58 facing the bead shapedinterlocking element 34. The finger thus projects into the groove 35,and withdraws the head 34 from the groove as the slider is moved in anopening direction. The slider is formed from one piece of material andpresents a simplified strong compact unit.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved flexible closurestructure with a slider which meet the objectives, features andadvantages above set forth. The closure strips are hinged by laterallyextending hinge portions 17 and 18, FIGURE 1, at each side of the strip,and the marginal portions 15 and 16 turn together beneath the strips toprovide convenient shoulders for holding the slider 21 in place. Theslider 21 is formed of one piece with the separating finger 25 beingformed therefrom,

and having a uniquely shaped concave portion 26 which effectively peelsthe rib interlocking portion 19 from the groove interlocking portion 20.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but coversall modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methodsfalling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A flexible closure structure comprising first and sec ond opposedflexible strips having releasable pressure interlocking elementsincluding a rib element and a groove element, a laterally outwardlyextending flange on each of the strips, a slider on the strips, means onthe slider tapering downwardly and engaging the upper surface of saidflanges for applying forces to help bend the strips apart, and means onthe slider for applying a separating force to the strips by engaging therib element and by projecting into the groove element so as to pull therib element out of the groove element.

2. A flexible closure structure comprising first and second opposedflexible strips having side-by-side web portions with marginal portionsat the upper edge thereof with the marginal portions having releasablepressure interlocking elements thereon including a rib element and agroove element, a laterally outwardly extending flange on the marginalportion of each of the strips, a slider positioned to straddle over thetop of the strips having a back with integral sides extending downwardlytherefrom, said sides shaped to form channels receiving said flanges,said channels sloping downwardly at the outer edges toward an openingend of the slider for applying a downward bending force to the lateralflanges to tend to separate the strips, and a finger projectingdownwardly between the slider sides at the opening end of the slider forcompleting the separation of the rib and groove elements.

3. A flexible closure structure comprising first and second opposedflexible strips having side-by-side web portions with marginal portionsat the upper edge thereof with the marginal portions having releasablepressure interlocking elements thereon including a rib element and agroove element, a laterally outwardly extending flange on the marginalportion of each of the strips, a slider positioned to straddle over thetop of the strips having a back with integral sides extending downwardlytherefrom, said sides shaped to form channels receiving said flanges,said channels sloping downwardly at the outer edges toward an openingend of the slider for applying a downward bending force to the lateralflanges to tend to separate the strips, a V-shaped separation portionformed in the back at the opening end of the slider to further tend toseparate the strips, and a separating finger cantilever supported on theback projecting downwardly between the sides for completing theseparation of the rib and groove elements.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,666,110 4/28Statham 24-20512 1,703,712 2/29 Aud 24-2013 1,959,319 5/34 Sipe 24-20132,613,421 10/52 Madsen 24-201 2,736,079 2/ 56 Staller 24-201 2,764,79310/56 Sander 24-201 2,780,261 2/57 Svec 24-2013 2,794,228 6/57 Teher24-201 2,810,944 10/57 Sander 24-2013 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,034,230 7/53France. 1,137,102 5/57 France. 1,226,5 7/60 France. 1,168,794 12/58France.

636,072 4/50 Great Britain.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

1. A FLEXURE CLOSURE STRUCTURE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSEDFLEXIBLE STRIPS HAVING RELEASABLE PRESSURE INTERLOCKING ELEMENTSINCLUDING A RIB ELEMENT AND A GROOVE ELEMENT, A LATERALLY OUTWARDLYEXTENDING FLANGE ON EACH OF THE STRIPS, A SLIDER ON THE STRIPS, MEANS ONTHE SLIDER TAPERING DOWNWARDLY AND ENGAGING THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAIDFLANGES FOR APPLYING FORCES TO HELP BEND THE STRIPS APART, AND MEANS ONNTHE SLIDER FOR APPLYING A SEPARATING FORCE TO THE STRIPS BY ENGAGING THERIB ELEMENT AND BY PROJECTING INTO THE GROOVE ELEMENT SO AS TO PULL THERIB ELEMENT OUT OF THE GROOVE ELEMENT.